HomeAdditionPlus.com Monthly Newsletter

Home Improvement News for the DIY Homeowner

December 2009            Edition: 0048

HomeAdditionPlus.com December, 2009 Newsletter

It’s amazing how much of a difference a week can make when it comes to weather here in New Hampshire. A week ago I was out running every afternoon in 50^o and even 60^o temperatures.  Today I am staring out at about 6 inches of snow on the ground and temperatures in the low 20^os.  Since last Sunday we’ve had two snow storms followed by frigid temperatures and biting winds. Actually 20^o temperatures are child’s play compared to January and February with their sub-zero temperatures. I guess it’s the rapid drop in temperature that makes it so shocking to the body and psyche.  

Though I have been preparing for the holidays and doing my fair share of snow blowing and shoveling recently, I still have had some time to produce new and interesting home improvement related articles and videos that I think you may find interesting.

Extension Ladders

In regards to new videos I filmed one on the pros and cons of fiberglass and aluminum extension ladders. Each has their unique benefits and the price differential between the two types is fairly insignificant. So if you are in the market for an extension ladder you’ll want to watch this video.

Utility Trailers

The second video I filmed was on utility trailers. About a year ago I traded in my old large van for a new SUV. Due to the fact that the SUV had limited carrying capacity, as well as not wanting to damage the interior of the vehicle hauling lumber, shrubs, etc., I decided to purchase a utility trailer to go along with it. Boy what a smart decision that was. I wish I had made the decision years ago. Besides being able to haul just about anything, the interior of my SUV still looks like new, and I am saving gas money by using a smaller vehicle. Not to mention, my wife much prefers driving around in the SUV rather than a large van or pickup truck. To learn more about the flexibility of a utility trailer take a look at my Utility Trailer video.

Solar Water Heating Systems

In recent months I have also been researching and writing about new green building and energy efficient home construction technologies. Recently I investigated solar heating water systems. New solutions from the skylight manufacturer Velux are quite impressive. Gone are the days of large, obtrusive looking solar collectors propped up on homes. Over the past year Velux has begun offering new solar collector panels that look like skylights. Two solar collector panels used in conjunction with a storage tank and heat exchanger can reduce hot water heating costs by up to 80%. To learn more on this technology see my article on "Solar Heating Water Systems".  Also take a look at my articles on "Solar Energy Advantages", and "Solar Energy Disadvantages" to learn more on solar technology advancements.

Bathroom Remodeling

I also spent some time writing on a variety of bathroom remodeling topics. If you have plans for remodeling a bathroom, take a look at my new articles titled: “Bathroom Vanity Cabinets”, “Bathroom Wall Covering Ideas”,”Installing a Bathtub/Shower Unit”, “Bathroom Sink Styles”, and "Installing a Bathroom Mirror".

Foundation Construction

I also wrote a few new articles on foundation construction. A well designed and constructed foundation is critical for building a quality home or home addition. Poorly constructed foundations end up cracking and settling. Foundation cracks and settling always leads to basement water problems, and aesthetic and structural problems within the home. See my foundation articles on "Concrete Footings", "Foundation Wall Jogs" and "Stepped Foundation Walls".

Hot Water Systems

Finally, I wrote a couple of new articles on hot water heating systems, and maintaining hot water heaters. Hot water baseboard heating systems are ideal for folks with allergies, however they do have their disadvantages. See my “Hot Water Baseboard Heating Systems” article to learn more. In addition, if you have a hot water heater, you will want to read my article on how to "Maintain a Hot Water Heater".
 

As always, if you have any specific home improvement questions or would like to see specific new home improvement related content send your questions to me at mark@homeadditionplus.com.

Again, good luck with your DIY home improvement projects and Happy Holidays.

Mark J. Donovan

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